The national basketball championship begins this Friday. Eight teams are on the starting line for the men’s draw and as many on the women’s draw. Among the gentlemen, there is AS Police, defending champion, Djoliba, Stade Malien, Commune VI, Attar Club de Kidal, AS Mandé, Tata de Sikasso and Réal. Among the Ladies, we find AS Police, Djoliba, Stade Malien, Kalaban Sport Club (KSC), Attar Club de Kidal, USFAS, Union Sportif de Miankala (USM) and Réal.
On each table, the teams will compete back and forth (14 days) and the first four will qualify for the Carré d’ace and the first two will then compete in the play-offs. At this stage, the club that has won three matches will be crowned champion of Mali 2021-2022.
Among the gentlemen, AS Police, triple reigning champion, is logically the favorite of this 2021-2022 edition. The Policemen are looking for a fourth title in a row but have to put up with the presence of Attar club de Kidal, which narrowly missed relegating the Policemen last year. For many observers, the title of champion will be disputed between AS Police and the team of Kidal even if AS Mandé, the Malian stadium will play spoilsports. Among the Ladies, AS Police will be favorites to succeed him, but watch out for Djoliba and Stade Malien.
The Malian Basketball Federation opened its season on January 22 with the Super Cup. At the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maïga, AS Mandé and AS Police in Men and AS Police and Djoliba in Women competed for the first trophy of the season. Scorers of a double last year, AS Police beat AS Mandé (75-72) while Djoliba, holders of the Mali Cup, dominated defending champions AS Police (67- 59) to win the women’s trophy. That is to say that the national women’s championship promises between Djoliba and AS Police.
Ousmane CAMARA
